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Why do I need to sign up to use tools in .id's Local Government suite?

The reasons behind .id's sign-up requirement

This article explains why you're asked to sign up / log in for an account to use .id (Informed Decisions) Local Government suite tools. The sign-up requirement is part of the .id service – not something introduced by your council – and it serves several purposes.

Key concepts

A change made by .id, not by your council. The sign-up requirement was introduced by .id (Informed Decisions) in 2026 as part of an update to how its tools work. Your council didn't introduce this change.

What sign-up enables.

  • It helps .id and councils better understand overall usage of the tools.

  • It supports ongoing community access to trusted local information.

  • It is required to support modern data security.

  • It lays the groundwork for future improvements.

Your personal information stays with .id. .id collects your sign-up information and manages it under its Privacy Policy. Your personal details aren't shared with councils or other organisations.

The tools remain open to the public. There's no cost to creating an .id account. The Local Government suite remains a public-facing service, funded by Council or related organisations and provided as a shared evidence base for councils, community organisations and the public.

How this applies in .id tools

The sign-up requirement applies to most Local Government suite products, including Community Profile, Social Atlas, Population Forecast, Economic Profile and Housing Monitor. Community Views continues to use its existing approach to user access.

The first time you click on a tool, you're prompted to sign up (or log in if you already have an account). For step-by-step instructions, see 'How to sign up for an account to access the Local Government suite'.

Frequently asked questions

Why is this changing now?

.id is updating how its tools work to provide a more capable service. Sign-up helps .id and councils better understand overall usage of the tools and lets .id improve them over time.

Did my council ask for this?

No. This change was introduced by .id (Informed Decisions). Your council didn't introduce the sign-up requirement.

Will my council see who I am?

No. Your personal information goes to .id, not your council. See 'Is my personal information shared with Council or other organisations?' for details.

Is there a cost to signing up?

No. Sign-up is free. The Local Government suite remains a free, public-facing service.

What happens if I don't sign up?

You can still access pages in the tools without signing up, including pages reached via Google, bookmarks or shared links. You'll be prompted to sign up or log in when interacting with the pages.

Can I sign up with my personal email?

You can sign up using either a personal or work email address. Using your work email helps .id customise your experience. You can also use a Microsoft work account if your organisation uses Microsoft.

Do I need to create a password?

No. .id uses passwordless sign-in. You log in using a secure email link or your Microsoft account.

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